More use of trains to carry freight would ease congestion on the M20.

The Freight Transport Association has produced a new publication arguing the case.

The group supports the controversial plan for a lorry park near Ashford to counter Operation Stack but also says that more goods should be also carried by rail.

Geoff Dossetter, FTA director of external affairs, said: “You need the effective development of both road and rail, not one at the expense of the other.

“Traffic on the M20 is getting increasingly congested and if more passengers used the trains there would be fewer private cars on the road.

“It is suggested that not all freight can go by rail as road freight goes door to door but more rail freight could be taken.”

The FTA document, called The Importance of Rail Freight, calls for more use of trains over the next 30 years as both containerised imports and road congestion increase.

For more see this Friday's Kent Messenger.